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My boss had given me a few weeks off to come back to the States and visit my dad. This time of year was always especially difficult for him since the three-year anniversary of my mom’s death was coming up. Being at home with him, where her clothes still filled the closet and little reminders of her covered every surface of the house, had been hard. Even if I didn’t get to catch a glimpse of Nate while I was here, it would do me a world of good to get a little space from home.
I grabbed my purse and headed into the store to pick up the keys and map to the cabin I’d rented for the next few days.
A woman waved from behind the front counter as I entered. “Welcome to the Nelson Mercantile. Can I help you find something?”
The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg hung in the air. My stomach grumbled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten anything since the single serving size of trail mix I’d grabbed when I stopped to buy gas.
“Hi. I’m looking for Ruby. I’m supposed to pick up a key and map to the cabin I rented.”
Her lips spread into a wide smile and she rounded the corner, her hand outstretched. “You must be Ainsley. I’m Ruby, and it’s nice to meet you. What brings you to Mustang Mountain?”
“Oh, a friend recommended the area as a great place for a quick, quiet getaway.” I offered a reassuring smile in return and hoped she took me at my word. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself. I hoped to be in and out before anyone found out why I’d come. In small towns like Mustang Mountain, word traveled faster than a downhill skier on fresh snow. The last thing I needed was Nate finding out I’d come to spy on him.
“We get a lot of women looking for a little escape around here. Anything in particular you’re trying to get away from, hon?” Ruby set a hand on her hip and tilted her head, studying me like she knew there was more to my story.
“Nothing in particular. It’s been a busy season at work, and I just need a day or two to recharge.” I bit down on my lip, hoping she’d leave it at that. When she didn’t say anything, I shifted my weight from one foot to the next. “About the cabin, you said there’s a full kitchen. Does that mean a regular size refrigerator?”
“Yes. You’ve got everything you need up there, but you won’t want to spend all of your time cooking for yourself when we’ve got the best biscuits in Montana at the cafe right next door. If you’re in the mood for something a little fancier, there’s the steakhouse up at the ski resort.”
“Thanks for the recommendation. I think I’ll pick up a few things here so I don’t need to venture out too much.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and do that while I get your key and welcome basket ready?” Ruby waved a hand toward the back corner of the store. “I’ll send breakfast fixin’s with you, but if you want anything for lunch or dinner, you’ll find it back in the grocery section.”
“Thank you.” I picked up a plastic shopping basket and made my way past displays of homemade goat milk soap and huckleberry-scented bath bombs to grab a few things. The mercantile reminded me of an old-time general store but with modern offerings like gluten-free frozen pizza and fresh-ground bison burgers. I nabbed a few cans of soup and stuff to make a salad before I headed back to the front.
“I hope that’s not all you’re planning on eating while you’re here.” Ruby scanned the items and packed them into a brown paper bag. “You’re liable to shrivel up and blow away.”
“Hardly.” I wasn’t the kind of girl who could lose weight by restricting calories. Thanks to my sturdy German ancestors, I’d had to work at it my entire life, which meant I’d be taking a few hikes while I was in the area.
“You’ll need a good meal while you’re in town. We’re having a Friendsgiving dinner tomorrow night with turkey and all the trimmings.” Ruby slid an orange flyer onto the checkout counter. “I can pick you up on my way into town if you’d like.”
“Thanks so much for the invitation, but I wouldn’t know anyone.”
“You’ll know me, and we could use an extra set of hands to set up. I can swing by around three and have you home in time for Wheel of Fortune.”
I’d always been horrible at saying no to people. That’s how I’d ended up living in a cramped flat in a questionable part of London for the past eight years. My mom used to say I was a people pleaser. I didn’t think so, but didn’t argue with her at the time.
“Just for a couple of hours?”
Ruby nodded.
“I suppose I could stop by.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up around three. It’s on my way, and I could use some help unloading the car when we get there, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. That would be great.” I handed over enough cash to cover my purchases and lifted my head to meet her gaze.
That’s when I caught sight of the piece of paper tacked up on the wall behind her. I squinted at the black-and-white photo. My heart stuttered to a stop. The man in the picture smiled at the camera through a dark, full beard. He had on a pair of shorts and no shirt, even though snow piled up around him.
Ruby put her hand on mine. “That’s Nate, our Mountain Man of the Month for November. You don’t happen to be single, do you?”
CHAPTER3
NATE
“How long doyou think we have to stay before we can escape?” I glanced over at my buddy Dean, who was riding shotgun in my truck. Ruby had roped us into picking up tables and chairs she’d borrowed from the church just outside of town so she’d have enough seating for her annual Friendsgiving dinner.
“You’ll never hear the end of it if you leave before the pie.” Dean adjusted the baseball cap he had on and gave me a half-hearted grin. “Lily’s in charge of dessert, so you know it’s going to be good.”
